Dems call for Part D extension

Democrats are calling for the government to extend the registration deadline for Medicare Part D beyond May 15 in light of enrollment problems the benefit has faced in the early going. Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) signed a letter to Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) asking him to help move legislation to the Senate floor that would extend the deadline for all participants.

CMS spokesman Peter Ashkenaz said the administration plans to stick to its guns on the deadline. ''Enrollment is surpassing our goals, satisfaction is high, and we see no reason to extend a deadline that's working. We don't want Medicare beneficiaries to put off savings."

- see this article from the Boston Globe

PLUS: USA Today reports that insurers have sent out "thousands" of letters to Part D participants warning that their coverage may be cancelled for failure to pay their premiums. Many appear to "mistakenly believe" their plans have been paid for. This is a story to watch. Article

PLUS: At WHCC 2006, Abby Block from CMS suggested that the deadline for signing up for Medicare before the seven percent premium increase would not be moved, although she conceded that there were severe problems in reaching lower-income seniors. Blog